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Backpacking to North Dome

A short hike yields epic views of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, and a variety of beautiful plants.

By Kirk van Gorkom

June 3^rd, 2022

We departed late in the afternoon from Porcupine Creek trailhead. While I've never seen a porcupine there, this is one of my favorite parts of Yosemite's forests. Winding past large fir trees and meadows, the trail descends southward towards North Dome and Yosemite Valley.

Numerous wildflowers and small stream crossings usually give pause for photo opportunities, but as evening approaches there isn't enough time. We press on rapidly, and make note of places to stop on the way back.

Glancing back to the north after about 3 miles, we spot a glimpse of Yosemite's only natural arch, a fascinating piece of granite known as "Indian Arch."

Visiting the arch is a delightful and shorter hike, which provides similar (though less spectacular) views to the ones we'll see later from above North Dome. It's easily done in a day, and highly recommended.

Looking northward from the trail to North Dome, Indian Arch is visible in the distance.

Close-up photo, looking northward from the trail to North Dome. Indian Arch is visible in the distance.

One of Yosemite's wilderness rangers sits next to Indian Arch (for scale). Photo taken during a previous day hike, in 2021.

Two backpackers following a trail southward through a thinned forest of pines and firs, with Mount Starr-King peeking through the trees.

Panoramic view of Cloud's Rest and Half Dome, from the granite slopes above North Dome

Emerging from the forest onto a wide granite dome, the views are breathtaking. Looking down at North Dome, Half Dome, Basket Dome, and Illilouette Falls to the south, and west over to Cloud's Rest and Yosemite's vast wilderness, it's almost beyond words.

Half Dome as seen from granite slopes above North Dome

Looking down at North Dome, and Illilouette Falls across Yosemite Valley

Clouds Rest and the distant peaks of Yosemite's western wilderness underneath a dramatic clouded sky

Looking down at Basket Dome in front of Cloud's Rest, from the granite slopes above North Dome

We stop to make a dinner of pasta and fresh veggies as the sun sets, re-painting Half Dome in blue.

The morning light gives me a chance to explore and document the exotic flowers which grow in this high-altitude environment. Rooted in decomposed granite that hardly qualifies as soil, these plants are hardy survivors, generally staying low to the ground in tiny bits of shelter.

Frosted Buckwheat. It sounds so edible, but I'd never want to harvest anything in these slow-growth environments.

Mountain Jewelflowers with Half Dome behind them

Yellow Sorrel flowers just barely peeking out of the granite gravel

After packing up, we leave our fantastic campsite and behind the hike back, meandering through the forest instead of taking the most direct route.

A look back at our campsite after packing up our stuff and trash left by careless others. Please leave no trace, and don't build fires that cover rocks permanently in soot.

Backpackers ascending the granite slabs above North Dome

A brighter daylight view back down at North Dome and Illilouette Falls

Pines and firs in the forest north of North Dome

Fir trees dominate the forest along the trail to North Dome

Hikers descending into the forest from a small bare area

Our leisurely hiking pace allows more time to enjoy the plants and flowers along the trail.

Snowplant blooming along the trail to North Dome

Common Bracken ferns unfurling in the wet ground near a stream

Common Bracken ferns in the wet ground near a stream

Water cascades down near one of several small creek crossings along the trail

After reaching our car and unloading heavy packs, we stop at Olmstead Point for a few more views before heading home.

Cloud's Rest living up to its name, with Half Dome in the distance

A solitary glacial erratic rests on the ice-polished and water-eroded granite surfaces of Olmstead Point

If you'd like to visit North Dome (and you should), a great day-hiking trail guide can be found at https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/yosemite-hikes/north-dome-hike/

For more & higher-resolution photos of this and other adventures, please visit my photography website: https://photos.vangorkom.org/Adventures/2022/Backpacking-to-North-Dome-June-2022/

Footnotes

Special thanks to my daughter, Ansley, for being a great hiking and photography partner. Credit for the portraits in front of Half Dome goes to her.

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FootNotes

Special thanks to my daughter, Ansley, for being a great hiking and photography partner. Credit for the portraits in front of Half Dome goes to her.

Vernal Falls on a Spring Afternoon

Backpacking to North Dome

A short hike yields epic views of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, and a variety of beautiful plants.

FootNotes

after a tragically dry winter, rainbows bring hope

A meandering hike through California's last riparian woodland preserve

Mild morning in a beautiful riparian oak woodland.